In July 2021 Voluntary Assisted Dying will be available in Western Australia.
As a Palliative Care doctor I have thought deeply about how I will continue to work and serve here as Christian and conscientious objector.
This is a reflection on doctoring, faith and a way forward.
Category: palliative care
What is the truth about General Practice? The truth about General Practice is that it is challenging. The end. Ha! Now that would be too easy and tremendously disrespectful to my General Practice colleagues. So, what is it that makes General Practice challenging? But firstly and most importantly, what makes General Practice such a rewarding
What matters at the end of life?
Creating beautiful moments. Moments in love, moments in forgiveness, moments with meaning and lasting transcendence.
There are many children masquerading as adults – Simply because someone is chronological 45 years old, has a professional job, is married and has three children, doesn’t make then an adult.
I love my job as a Palliative Care doctor. There is nothing that I look forward to more on a Monday morning than meeting with our team, solving problems and helping to relieve suffering in our patients and their families. It compels me out of bed early and is the only job that I see
The biggest lesson that caring for the dying can teach you — reflections of a Palliative Care Doctor
A few weeks ago I finished my Clinical Diploma in Palliative Medicine from the Royal Australian College of Physicians. Without a doubt, it has the best and most challenging year of my clinical career. It had such a profound effect on my life that I’ve decided to go all in and live the rest of
“Jonathan you have to come in. There’s been an incident with Brian* and the other residents and families are scared, I don’t know what to do!”. *Names changed for privacy* The panicked voice on the other end was an aged care nurse whom I’d worked with closely and whose clinical judgment I respected and relied
“So what actually happens in this place?” Simon asked, his question caught me off guard. Trying to understand where he was coming from, I replied “What do you mean?”. “Well I’ve been here for a week and I’m still not sure what actually happens in the hospice,” Simon said, still looking back at me, searching
I am privileged to write and contribute to Palliverse with this piece about operative decision making and providing compassionate and caring end of life care. As our population ages and we are called to be decision makers for our loved elders, let their end of life wishes guide us. Palliverse is lucky to have a
“How do we live fully so we are fully ready to die?” Ann Voskamp — One Thousand Gifts pg 29 This one sentence has echoed through my mind since I read it a few months ago. It is utterly amazing in the way revelation hits you at the right moment and this one thought has had a profound effect